Long Non-Coding RNAs and Obesity: New Potential Pathogenic Biomarkers

Background: A portion of the human genome is characterized by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of non-coding RNA longer than 200 nucleotides. Recently, the development of new biomolecular methods made it possible to delineate the involvement of lncRNAs in the regulation of different biological processes, both physiological and pathological, by acting within the cell with different regulatory mechanisms based on their specific target. To date, obesity is one of the most important health problems spreading all over the world, including the children: the search for new potential early biomarkers could open the doors to novel therapeutic strategies useful to fight the disease early in life and to reduce the risk of obesity-related co-morbidities. Objective: This review highlights the lncRNAs involved in obesity, in adipogenesis, and lipid metabolism, particularly in lipogenesis. Conclusion: LncRNAs involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis, being at the cross-road of obesity, should be deeply analysed in this contest, allowing to understand possible causative actions in starting obesity and whether they might be helpful to treat obesity.

Automated summary

This review discusses the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in obesity and lipid metabolism. By studying these lncRNAs in depth, a better understanding of the causes of obesity can be gained and the potential for using them as therapeutic targets can be explored.